Sweep and picker stick attachment for looms



(No Model.)

B. F. STBARNS. SWEEP AND PIGKER STIGK ATTACHMENT FOR LOOMS.

No. 436,160. Patented Sept. 9, 1890.

2 9 means 7 122314 Elma/mu M @MOM J M 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEK BETHUEL F. STEARNS, OF DEXTER, MAINE.

SWEEP AND PICKER STICK ATTACHMENT FOR LOOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 436,160, dated September 9, 1890.

Application filed May 1, 1890. Serial No. 350,178. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BETHUEL F. STEARNS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dexter, in the county of Penobscot and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful Sweep and Picker Stick Attachment for Looms; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Throughout the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention attached to the sweep and picker sticks of a loom. Fig. 2 is an isometric View of the clamp forming part of my device. Fig. 3 is a cabinet projection of the lifter of my invention. Fig. 4 is a similar view of one of the metal straps used in connecting the upper end of the lifter to the sweep-stick.

Similar letters of reference refer to corresponding parts throughout the different figures.

The object of my'invention is to provide an attachment for connecting the sweep and picker stick of a loom, whereby they can be easily and quickly adjusted for the various speeds of the latter and also prevent the usual splitting of the picker-stick.

In the drawings, B represents a loom pickerstick, which is constructed of wood, tapered from its lower toward its upper end, and provided with a hole bored therethrough near its lower extremity to provide pivotal means for connecting it with an arm C, projecting from the lower part of the loom-frame. The upper part of the picker-stickB in operation slides through the usual mortise in the loomlathe, within which it gives a reciprocating motion to the shuttle, and this end is connected to the picker by the usual short strap in the usual manner.

My invention is attached to the pickerstick B near its lower part, and consists of a clamp A, adjustable upon said picker-stick, a lifter F, pivoted at one end to the adjustable clamp and having its opposite end formed into a shoe, which bears and is held against one edge of the said stick by means of the connecting-strapsE E, fastened to and projecting from the end of the sweep-stickD.

The clamp A consists of a box-casting of sufficient size to allow the picker-stick to pass therethrough. A stationary ja-w c,cast upon the clamp A at one extremity of the opening therein, furnishes means for a broad bearing against one edge of the said picker-stick, and a movable jaw c at the opposite end of this opening is adjusted with a set-screw f, against the opposite edge of the picker-stick in a manner to clamp the same.

Two cheeks b b project from one end of the clamp-casting A, and these cheeks contain holes 6 e drilled therethrough, furnishing means for pivotally connecting one end of the lifter F. This clamp A is adjusted at any point along the length of the picker-stick B by first loosening the set-screwy, when the said clamp can be moved to any desired position, and then by tightening the said setscrew a firm and rigid fastening is made.

The lifter F consists of a metal rod about twelve inches in length flattened and drilled at one end to form a hinged connection with the cheeks b b of clamp A. This lifter extends upward from said clamp along the edge of the picker-stick B, and its upper end is formed into a shoe h, the extremity of which is turned or bent outward, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. A leather strap 72 is fastened at one end to the extremity of this shoe h, and extends over the flat surface of the latter to serve'as a buffer and receive all wear occasioned by use and the rubbing against the edge of the picker-stick B.

A hole 1; is drilled through the thick part of the shoe h, through which a bolt passes and connects this shoe with the ends of metal straps E E, projecting beyond the end of the sweep-stick D and extending each side of the picker-stick B. These metal straps E are fastened by bolts or any convenient means firmly to the end of the sweep-stick D, sufiicient space being left between the terminus of the latter and the shoe hto allow the pickerstick B to freely play therein.

The sweep-stick D is operated by mechanism within the loom, and its motion being re ciprocatingimpartsasimilar movement to the picker-stick B by means of my connections and improvements hereinbefore described.

The lower end of the picker-stick B below its pivotal connection with the arm 0 is connected by means of a leather strap G to a spring attached at any convenient place upon the floor or the frame of the loom, which spring tends to return the picker-stick B after it has been drawn forward by the sweep-stick D and keeps a continuous and steady pressure of the said picker-stick B against the leather n upon the shoe h of the lifter F.

With my device, as herein described, the sweep-stick D can be raised and lowered upon the picker-stick B for very fine adjustment inlvarious speeds much closer than possibly can be attained in the old way. It also saves boring holes through the picker-stick (which of course weakens the same) for this adj ustment, and the clamp A prevents the pickerstick from splitting, thus eventually lengthening the life of the latter.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. An improved sweep and picker stick attachment, consisting of a clamp adjustable upon the picker-stick and having means for pivotal connection with one end of a lifter, a litter pivoted to said clamp and provided with a shoe at its upper end, and connecting-straps pivoted to said shoe, their opposite ends adapted to be fastened to the sweep-stick, substantially in the manner shown, and for the purpose described.

2. Inaloom,the combinatiomwith the sweep and picker sticks, of the adjustable attachment for the same, consisting of the clamp A, adjustable upon the picker-stick by means of a set-screw, said clamp having cheeks b b pro j ecting from the same, a litter pivoted to the cheeks b of the clamp A and extending upward, its upper end formed into ashoe h, having friction-strap 'n thereon for the purpose described, and metal straps E E, bolted to the end of the sweep-stick extending beyond the same and each side of the picker-stick B, their projecting ends being pivotally connected to the shoe or upper end of the lifter F, substantially as shown and described.

BETHUEL F. STEARNS. Witnesses:

CHAS. D. ROBERTS. H. E. HALE. 

